Sept. 18, 2013
THIS WEEK:
Pacific San José, Calif.
Sept. 20 Pacific 7:00 p.m.
(All times in PDT)
SAN JOSÉ STATE LOOKS FOR FIRST 2013 WIN: The San José State University women's soccer team (0-7-0) hosts the University of the Pacific on Friday, September 20, for a 7:00 p.m. match.
The Spartans recorded a season-high number of shots-on-goal but dropped its first home match of the season, 2-0, to the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos on Sunday, September 15. Putting a 2013-best six shots between the pipes, the Spartans out-shot the Gauchos, 13-to-6, marking the second-straight match that San José State took more shots than its opponent.
LIVE STATS: Live stats for this weekend's match will be available on SJSUSpartans.com. Click on the calendar button in the center of the homepage, then access live stats for each match by either clicking on the Match Tracker icon, or the Live Stats link.
LIVE STREAM: Live video will be available for the University of the Pacific match free-of-charge on SJSUSpartans.com. Click on the calendar button in the center of the homepage, then access the live stream by clicking the Live Stream link.
PACIFIC: The Tigers (1-4-2) won its first match of 2013 on Sunday, September 15, against New Mexico, taking double-digit shots for the sixth time this season. Maricela Padilla, one of two players with a team-high two goals and 20-or-more shots, leads the Tigers' shot barrage with 24. Starting goalkeeper Tashia Long's .700 save percentage and 1.70 goals against average are team-bests. In his 20th season as head coach is Keith Coleman.
SAN JOSÉ STATE HEAD COACH: Head Coach Jeff Leightman is at the Spartans' helm for his sixth season, entering 2013 with a 40-47-11 record. The 2009 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Coach of the Year, he is the only coach to lead his team to back-to-back regular season conference titles. In each of his first four years, he led the Spartans to a WAC Tournament bid.
SPARTANS PICKED TO FINISH NINTH: The 2013 San José State University women's soccer team was picked to finish ninth in the Mountain West by a panel of the conference's 11 head coaches.
The Spartans return seven starters and 13 letterwinners to its 2012 squad that finished 6-11-1. In its inaugural Mountain West season, San José State plays a program-high 10 conference matches and faces two teams ranked in the NSCAA/Continental Tire preseason list (San Diego State, No. 11; California, No. 20).
2013 SQUAD FEATURES QUALITY RETURNERS AND EXCITING NEWCOMERS: The 2012 team-leading scorer and second team All-WAC and Preseason CollegeSportsMadness.com honoree Megan Molina joins the team for her senior season, while centerback Rachel Docherty, who played the second-most minutes of all returners, anchors the backline. Seven newcomers join the squad, including 2012 Big 8 Conference Player of the Year Kareli Rodriguez and goalkeeper Sarah Peplinski, the 2013 Wisconsin Valley Conference Player of the Year. In addition, Niki Brooks, who has six years of coaching at the collegiate level, joins the team as an assistant coach.
NOTES FROM THE PITCH:
Ashley Boitz has played in six matches for the Spartans this season. She has taken one shot.
Rachel Docherty has started five of six matches played for the Spartans this season.
Alex Donaldson has played in six of the Spartans' matches this season.
Lupita Estrada has started all of the Spartans' matches this season and leads the team in goals (2), points (4), shots (10) and shots on goal (7). She was named to the University of San Diego Tournament All-Tournament Team after scoring both of the team's goals.
Sarah Fraser has played in all of the Spartans' matches this season with one start. She has taken two shots, one of which was between the pipes.
Alex Jimenez has played in all of the Spartans' matches and has four starts this season. She has taken one shot.
Cheryl Kute has started all of the Spartans' 2013 matches this season. She has taken five shots, two of which were on goal. Kute was named to the University of San Diego Tournament All-Tournament Team.
McColl Matthews has played in six of the team's matches this season with four starts. She is tied for the Spartans' lead in assists (1). She has taken one shot, which was between the pipes.
Carley McBeath has started all of the Spartans' matches this season. She has one assist and has taken seven shots, one of which was on goal.
Megan Molina has starts in all of the Spartans' matches this season. She has taken eight shots, four of which were between the pipes.
Megan Rauschnot has started all of the team's matches, taking one shot this season.
Stephanie Rebagliati has played in six of the Spartans' matches this season, making two starts. She has taken one shot, which was on goal.
Kareli Rodriguez is tied for the team's lead in assists with one, starting all of the team's matches this season. She has taken eight shots.
Becca Spangler has four starts for the Spartans this season, appearing in all seven matches. She has taken one shot.
Alexis Venegas has started all of the Spartans' matches this season. She scored her first collegiate goal against San Francisco and has taken seven shots, five of which were between the pipes.
NOTES FROM BETWEEN THE PIPES:
Sarah Peplinski has started five of the Spartans' six matches this season. In 428:34 minutes, she has a 0-5 record with a 2.94 goals against average and a .611 save percentage.
Zoe Makrigiannis has two starts for the Spartans and an additional appearance for 211:26 minutes in goal this season. She has a 1.70 goals against average with a .429 save percentage alongside a 0-2 record.
SPARTANS' NEXT MATCH: San José State opens its inaugural Mountain West season at New Mexico on Friday, September 27 for a 7:00 p.m. (MDT) match. The Spartans then travel to San Diego State on Sunday, September 29, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).